Machine for the production of hinged-lid packs for groups of cigarettes or the like

ABSTRACT

A machine for the making of hinged-lid packs employs a turretshaped assembly conveyor with equidistant hollow mandrels which receive relatively soft first blanks at a first transfer station, blocks of cigarettes at a second transfer station, relatively stiff U-shaped second blanks at a third transfer station, and relatively stiff third blanks at a fourth transfer station. The first blanks are draped around the mandrels to form inner envelopes of packs, the second blanks are draped around the inner envelopes to form so-shaped collars of packs, and the third blanks are draped around the inner envelopes and collars to form partially completed outer envelopes of packs. The thus obtained partially completed packs, with the blocks of cigarettes therein, are transferred into the receptacles of a second turret whereon the making of hinged-lids is completed, and the finished packs are transferred into the containers of a third turret for heating to cause rapid and complete setting of adhesive which is applied to selected portions of the blanks for outer envelopes. Each pack is thereupon provided with a revenue label which is destroyed when the purchaser pivots the hinged-lid to open position. Each interruption of transport of blocks to the assembly conveyor entails an interruption of transport of blanks, and vice versa.

United States Patent 1. Bardenhagen et al.

[ Apr. 9, 1974 MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF HlNGED-LID PACKS FOR GROUPS OF CIGARE'I'IES OR THE LIKE [75] Inventors: Dietrich Bardenhagen, Hamburg; Bernhard Schubert, Neubornsen,

both of Germany [73] Assignee: Ilauni-Werke Korber & Co., KG,

Hamburg, Germany 22 Filed: Feb. 9, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 331,02s

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Feb. 11, 1972 Great Britain .[6569/72 Feb. 24, 1972 Great Britain 8674/72 [52] U.S Cl. 93/39 R, 53/148, 53/17 D, 93/12 C, 93/43, 93/44.l R

[51] Int. Cl B31b 17/26, B3lb 1/32 [58] Field of Search 53/170, 172, 148; 93/12 C, 93/12 R, 36.01, 43, 40, 44, 44.1 R, 39 R, 55

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS I 3,479,787 11/1969 Bardenhagen et al. 53/148 X 3,750,676 8/1973 Kruse et a1 53/148 X 3,579,952 5/1971 Davies et al 93/12 C UX- 3,589,097 6/l97l Gianese 93/12 C X 1 1,926,192 9/1933 Bronander 93/12 C Primary Examiner-Roy Lake Assistant Examiner-James F. Coan Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Michael S. Striker [5 7] ABSTRACT of packs, and the third blanks are draped around the inner envelopes and collars to form partially completed outer envelopes of packs. The thus obtained partially completed packs, with the blocks of cigarettes therein, are transferred into the receptacles of a second turret whereon the making of hinged-lids is completed, and the finished packs are transferred into the containers of a third turret for heating to cause rapid and complete setting of adhesive which is applied to selected portions of the blanks for outer en- 1 velopes. Each pack is thereupon provided with a revenue label which'is destroyed when the'purchaser pivots the hinged-lid to open position. Each interruption of transport of blocks to the assembly conveyor entails an interruption of transport of blanks, and vice versa.

32 Claims, 28 Drawing Figures KMENTEUAPH 9 mm saw a m 9 PAIENIFUAPR 9 ISM saw a m 9 PATENTEB APR 9 i974 sum 8 (If 9 5N QQ mg m -23 a Q3 a El MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION or HINGED-LID PACKS FOR GROUPS or CIGARETTES on THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to improvements in machines for the production of so-called hinged-lid or fliptop packs for groups or blocks of plain or filter-tipped cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos or analogous rod-shaped articles. More particularly; the invention relates to improvements in machines for the making of hinged-lid or flip-top packs of the type wherein an outer envelope consisting of relatively stiff material and embodying a pivotable lid surrounds at least one inner envelope which consists of relatively soft and readily foldable material, and wherein the pack further includes an insert of the type known as collar and serving to yieldably retain the pivotable lid in closed position as well as to guide the lid during movement between open and closed positions. The insert is normally secured to the internal surface of the outer envelope and is provided with at least two edge portions which guide and/or retain the pivotable lid.

A presently known machine for the making of 25 hinged-lid packs for groups or blocks of cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles includes devices for surrounding a group of rod-shaped articles with a preferably two-piece inner envelope consisting of metallic foil or soft paper which is lined with metallic foil. One section of the inner envelope is removed by the purchaser tively stiff outer envelope is first converted into a sub- I stantially U-shaped body during transport on a chain conveyor and the group of articles (with the inner envelope and collar therearound) is thereupon placed intothe U-shaped body. The chain conveyor continues to transport the U-shaped body past a series of folding members serving to convert the body into a tube which is closed at one end and is provided with a hinged-lid at the other end.

A drawback of the just described packing machines is that their output is very low, normally only half the output of a modern high-speed machine for the production of plain or filter tipped cigarettes. Therefore, such packing machines cannot be directly coupled to machines for the mass-production of tobacco-containing rod-shaped articles because each producting machine turns out a number of articles which suffices for the processing in several packing machines.

It is further known to produce hinged-lid packs on a rotary turret. Each group of rod-shaped articles is first completely surrounded by an inner envelope of relatively soft material. The blanks which are to be converted into outer envelopes of the packs are treated on two successive conveyors the first of which cooperates with means for folding selected lateral flaps of the blanks and the second of which cooperates with means for folding certain additional flaps so that each blank resembles a U-shaped body which receives the inner envelope with a group or rod-shaped articles therein. The final steps of conversion of blanks into outer envelopes are carried out while the blanks move with a further turret. Thus, the final folding steps are performed while the blank for the outer envelope already contains a group of rod-shaped articles so that the articles of such group are likely to be deformed even if the blanks for the outer envelopes are provided with weakened (grooved or perforated) portions to facilitate folding during conversion into outer envelopes.

It is also known to produce so-called soft cigarette packs by draping blanks of relatively soft and pliable material around hollow mandrels which receive groups of rod-shaped articles. However, such procedure was never employed for the making of hinged-lid packs wherein at leasst one component consists of relatively stiff sheet-like material, such as a cardboard with a weight in excess of 150 grams per square meter. As a rule, a soft pack comprises an inner envelope of thin metallic foil and an outer envelope of soft paper.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved machine for the manufacture of hinged-lid or flip-top packs whose output is substantially higher than the output of presently known machines, which can be directly coupled with one or more machines for the mass-production of plain or filter tipped cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles, and which prevents the blanks for outer envelopes from affecting the appearance and/or damaging the rod-shaped articles during the making of outer envelopes. Another object of the invention is to provide a packing machine which can be used for the making of hinged-lid packs with a high degree of reproducibility and wherein the feed of all other components is interrupted in automatic response to the detected absence of a single component of a hinged-lid pack with resultant savings in rod-shaped articles and blanks.

A further object of the invention is to provide a packing machine which comprises novel and improved means for converting prefabricated blanks of carboard or the like into outer envelopes of hinged-lid packs.

An additional object of the invention is to'provide the packing machine with novel and improved means for making and feeding blanks for conversion into components of hinged-lid packs.

The invention is embodied in a machine for the production of packs for groups or blocks of cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles wherein each pack consists of at least three components including at least one inner envelope of relatively thin foldable material (such as soft paper coated with a layer of metallic foil), an outer envelope of relatively stiff material (such as heavy-duty paper or cardboard) provided with a pivotable lid, and an insert or collar secured to and received in the outer envelope and having at least two edge portions for yieldably retaining the lid in a closed position and for guiding the lid during pivoting between closed and open positions. The machine comprises an assembly conveyor (such as an indexible turret) including a plurality of hollow mandrels which can receive groups of rod-shaped articles and are movable along a predetermined path, first, second and third feeding means for respectively supplying to successive mandrels first, second and third blanks for conversion into inner envelopes, inserts and outer envelopes of packs (each feeding means preferably includes a source of the respective blanks and means for transporting blanks between the source and the assembly conveyor), and folding means adjacent to the path of the mandrels and being actuatable to at least partially convert blanks supplied by the feeding means into the respective components of packs so that the thus obtained packs partially surround the respective mandrels and can be removed therefrom together with the respective groups of rodshaped articles.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The improved packing machine itself, however, both as to its construction and its mode of operation, together with additional features and advantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of certain specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a perspective view of a blank which is to be converted into the inner envelope of a hinged-lid pack;

FIGS. la and lb illustrate two successive stages of conversion of the blank shown in FIG. 1 into an inner envelope;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second blank which is to be converted into the collar or insert of a hingedlid pack;

FIG. 2a illustrates a partially completed inner envelope and a collar or insert which is obtained on conversion of the blank shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third blank which is to be converted into the outer envelope of a hinged-lid pack;

FIGS. 3a to 3k illustrate various stages of conversion of the blank shown in FIG. 3 into the outer envelope of a hinged-lid pack;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a hinged-lid pack which embodies the blanks of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 and whose lid is shown in nearly fully closed position;

FIG. 4 (composed of FIGS. 4a and 4b) is a perspective view of the essential parts of the improved packing machine;

FIG. 4c is a perspective view of the details of one of first holding means which are associated with each mandrel of the assembly conveyor in the packing machine of FIG. 4;

FIG. 4d is a perspective view of the details of one of second holding means which are associated with each mandrel of the assembly conveyor;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows from the line V-V of FIG. 4a;

FIG. 6 (composed of FIGS. 6a and 6b) is a diagram of the control circuit of the packing machine shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of a blank forming conveyor forming part of one of the blank feeding means in the packing machine of FIGS. 40 and 4b, the section being taken in the direction of arrows as seen from the line VIIVII of FIG. 8;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows from the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a diagram whose curves indicate the distances covered by the sections of blanks of the type shown in FIG. 1 during transport by the blank forming conveyor of FIGS. 7 and 8; and

FIG. 10 illustrates three different relative positions of blank sections during transport with the conveyor of FIGS. 7 and 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 illustrates a composite foil blank 1 which comprises partially overlapping rectangular sections la and lb. Each of these sections is assumed to include a sheet of readily foldable paper coated with a layer of aluminum foil. The entire blank 1 is relatively thin and readily foldable.

FIG. 2 illustrates a second blank 2 which consists of relatively stiff material, such as hard paper of cardboard, and is to be converted into a collar or insert 2 (see FIG. 2a) received in and secured to the outer envelope of a so-called hinged-lid pack or flip-flop pack 224 shown in FIG. 31. The blank 2 comprises three integral fields or panels 2a, 2b and 2c. The panels 2b and 2c are partially separated from the centrally located panel 2a by rows of perforations or by grooves so as to weaken the respective portions of the blank 2 and to allow for convenient folding during conversion into a substantially U-shaped collar insert or 2 shown in FIGS. 2a, 3b and 30. In a fully assembled hinged-lid pack 224, the collar 2 serves to yieldably hold the pivotable lid of the pack in closed position and to guide the lid during pivoting between open and closed positions. Such functions are performed by the edge portions 2F, 2G (see FIG. 2a) of the collar 2' which coincide with the weakened portions of the blank 2. In a fully assembled pack 224, the insert or collar 2' which is obtained in response to conversion of a blank 2 partially surrounds three sides of a block 4 (see FIGS. 40 and 4b) of 20 filter cigarettes 4a.

FIG. 3 illustrates a prefabricated cardboard blank 3 which can be converted into the outer envelope 3 (see FIG. 31) of a hinged-lid pack 224. This blank comprises a number of panels or fields a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,i,k,l,m,n,0,p,q and r. The material of the blank 3 is a heavy or stiff paper or a light-weight cardboard. When converted into an outer envelope 3, the blank 3 not only constitutes an enclosure for a block 4 of twenty filter cigarettes 40 but also includes an integral flip-top or lid which must be pivoted to open position by the purchaser prior to withdrawal of a cigarette and can be returned to a closed position in which it cooperates with the edge portions 2F, 2G of the collar 2 (obtained upon suitable deformation of the blank 2 shown in FIG. 2) to remain in closed position. The blank 3 includes weakened portions (indicated in FIG. 3 by broken lines) to facilitate its conversion into an outer envelope 3. In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the blanks 2 and 3 is weakened wherever its panels or fields are to be folded or pivoted relative to each other to thus facilitate the operation of folding means and to insure the making of packs 224 of predetermined outline and dimensions.

The material of blanks 2 and 3 is preferably a cardboard having a weight of not less than grams per square meter and most preferably at least 200 grams or in excess of 200 grams per square meter.

The manner in which the blanks l, 2, 3 are converted into corresponding components of a finished hinged-lid pack 224 is illustrated to FIGS. 1a, lb, 2a and 3a to 31. The conversion of these-blanks into a pack 224 will be described with reference to FIGS. 40, 4b, 4c, 4d and 5.

Referring now to FIGS. 4a and 4b, there are shown the main component parts of a packing machine which is utilized to convert blanks 1, 2 and 3 into hinged-lid packs 224 and to provide each such pack with a revenue label 247 (see FIG. 4a). The packing machine comprises the following main units: a block forming unit 6 which assembles groups or blocks 4 each of which consists of a predetermined number of filter cigarettes 4a; a block transporting unit 7 which serves to deliver blocks 4 of twenty filter cigarettes 4a each to an assembly conveyor 8 in the form of an intermittently rotated turret; a first blank feeding unit 9 which supplies to the turret 8 a succession of discrete composite foil blanks l of the type shown in FIG. 1; a second blank feeding unit 1 1 which serves to deliver to the turret 8 a succession of discrete blanks 2 of the type shown in FIG. 2; a third blank feeding unit 12 which serves to deliver to the turret 8 a succession of discrete prefabricated and adhesive-coated cardboard blanks 3 of the type shown in FIG. 3; a lid forming conveyor or turret 13 which converts portions of successive blanks 3 into pivotable lids of packs 224; a drying or conditioning conveyor 14 on which the adhesive of outer envelopes forming part of the packs 224 is heated so as to set and to prevent an opening of outer envelopes and their lids; and a labelling unit 16 which provides each pack 224 with a revenue label 247.

The various conveyors of the main units of the packing machine shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b include the aforementioned turrets 8 and 13, and conditioning conveyor 14 and several additional conveyors in the form of endless chains, belts or bands and drums which are used to transport filter cigarettes 4a as well as the blanks 1, 2, 3 and portions of assembled packs 224. All such conveyors are driven by a main prime mover of the packing machine in stepwise fashion and in synchronism with each other in a manner to be described later. The transmissions between the main prime mover of the packing machineand various conveyors may include clutches, geneva drives and/or other types of means for effecting stepwise movements of the respective conveyors. The main prime mover of the packing machine preferably further transmits motion to several reciprocable and/or pivotable components, such as folding members for the blanks 1, 2 and 3, retaining or holding means, transfer devices or pushers and ejecting devices or plungers. The reciprocatory and/or oscillatory movements of such component parts are synchronized with stepwise movements of the conveyors. The arrangement is assumed to be such that the oscillatory and/or reciprocatory parts are movable while the conveyors are at a standstill. Certain parts of the packing machine, such as various feeding and ejecting elements, are activated or deactivated by drive means which are set in motion in response to signals whenever the detectors of the packing machine detect defects in the condition and/or appearance of various compo nents and/or the absence of certain components of packs 224. Such randomly operated drive means are also arrested in response to signals which can be produced by detectors, counters, shift registers or by hand. If the drive means are not specifically mentioned, they are operated continuously until arrested in response to electric signals or by hand.

Each cycle of operation of the packing machine consists of a plurality of successive working stages each of which includes a first interval during which the conveyors are in motion and a second interval during which the conveyors are at a standstill.

The block forming unit 6 comprises a magazine or hopper 21 which is provided with two main storing chambers 22 for filter cigarettes 4a of unit length. The storing chambers 22 communicate with three arcuate ducts 23 which can accumulate three rows or layers of filter cigarettes 4a (hereinafter called cigarettes for short). It is clear that the filter cigarettes 4a can be replaced by other rod-shaped smokers products, such as cigarillos, plain cigarettes or cigars. The central portions of the ducts 23 are located in three parallel horizontal planes, one above the other, and in the path of movement of a reciprocable transfer device or pusher 26 located at a block building and transferring station 24. The pusher 26 is reciprocable by a driver shaft 27 whereby it expels from the adjacent portions of the ducts 23 a block 4 of 20 cigarettes 4a whenever it performs a working stroke in a direction away from the observer of FIG. 4b. In the illustrated embodiment, the pusher 26 is designed to expel from the hopper 21 blocks 4 consisting of twenty cigarettes 4a each whereby each block 4 comprises two outer layers of seven cigarettes anda median layer of six cigarettes. The cigarettes of the medial layer are assumed to be staggered sideways with reference to the cigarettes of the two outer layers. It is clear, however, that the pusher 26 can be designed to expel from the hopper 21 blocks which consist of more than or less than 20 cigarettes; for example, the pusher 26 can expel blocks consisting of two or more than three layers whereby each layer may but need not contain the same number of discrete rod-shaped articles.

The block transporting unit 7 comprises an endless chain conveyor 28 which includes a number of equidistant cells 29. Each cell 29 is designed to receive a block 4 while the chain conveyor 28 is at a standstill and the foremost empty cell 29 registers with the pusher 26 of the block forming unit 6. The chain conveyor 28 is trained over two or more sprocket wheels including the sprocket wheel 31 shown in FIG. 4b. This sprocket wheel is driven intermittently so as to place successive empty cells 29 into register with the pusher 26 of the block forming unit 6. The illustrated sprocket wheel 31 is assumed to receive torque from the main prime mover of the packing machine. The block building and transferring station 24 is followed by a station which accommodates a plunger 33 constuting an ejector for defective blocks 4. The plunger 33 is reciprocable transversely of the chain conveyor 28 by a drive shaft 35. When the drive means for the shaft 34 receives a signal, the plunger 33 performs a working stroke while the chain conveyor 28 is at a standstill whereby the plunger expels a defective block 4 from the registering cell 29.

The assembly conveyor or turret 8 comprises a number of equidistant hollow mandrels 36 which travel stepwise along an endless path. Successive empty mandrels 36 receive blocks 4 of twenty cigarettes 40 each at a transfer station 39. The transfer device which is employed to transfer blocks 4 from successive filled cells 29 of the chain conveyor 28 into successive empty mandrels 36 at the transfer station 39 comprises a reciprocable pusher 37 which is movable in directions indicated by a double-header arrow 38. The pusher 37 performs a working and a return stroke during successive intervals of idleness of the chain conveyor 28 and turret 8.

The first blank feeding unit 9 is shown in the upper right-hand portion of FIG. 4b. This blank feeding unit comprises a conveyor 41 which serves to transport a continuous web 42 of foil from a source or bobbin 43 toward a transfer station 66 where successive composite foil blanks l are transferred onto successive mandrels 36 of the turret 8. The transporting conveyor 41 comprises two intermittently driven web advancing rolls 44 one of which is driven by a shaft 45. The drive shaft 45 can be arrested for a longer interval of time if it is desired to interrupt the delivery of composite blanks l to the turret 8. The conveyor 41 further comprises a pair of continuously driven web advancing rolls 46 and two guide rolls 48, 49 which form a loop 47 between the advancing rolls 46 and 44. It will be noted that the intermittently driven advancing rolls 44 are located downstream of the continuously driven advancing rolls 46, as considered in the direction of lengthwise movement of the web 42 from the source or bobbin 43 toward the transfer station 66. The lower guide roll 49 is mounted on a pivotable supporting arm 51. The length of the loop 47 is monitored by two photoelectric detectors 52 and 53 which cooperate with the pivotably mounted guide roll 49. The detectors 52 and 53 are in circuit with the controls for drive means of the continuously driven advancing rolls 46.

If the blank feeding unit 9 fails to deliver composite foil blanks 1, for example, because the chain conveyor 28 fails to deliver a succession of blocks 4 or for other reasons, the drive means for the intermittently operated advancing rolls 44 remains idle so that the length of the loop 47 between the advancing rolls 46 and 44 increases. This will be readily understood since the advancing rolls 46 are normally driven continuously to feed the web 42 toward the advancing rolls 44. As the length of the loop 47 increases, the guide roll-49 moves downwardly, as viewed in FIG. 4b, because the supporting arm 51 tends to pivot counterclockwise. Consequently, the guide roll 49 moves across the path of a light beam which issues from a light source and impinges upon the photosensitive element of the detector 53. The detector 53 then produces a signal which is used to arrest the drive means for the advancing rolls 46. As a result of stoppage of the advancing rolls 46, no further material is being withdrawn from the source or bobbin 43 so that the length of the loop 47 cannot increase and actually decreases as soon as the advancing rolls 44 are again set in rotary motion. In response to repeated stepwise rotary movements of the advancing rolls 44 (while the advancing rolls 46 are idle), the length of the loop 47 decreases in stepwise fashion whereby the arm 51 pivots clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 4b, and the guide roll 49 on the arm 51 moves from the path of the light beam issuing from a light source and being directed toward the photosensitive element of the detector 52. The detector 52 then produces a signal which is used to start the drive means for the advancing rolls 46. Consequently the length of the loop 47 cannot decrease any further.

The blank feeding unit 9 further comprises a blank forming conveyor 54 the details of which will be described with reference to FIGS. 7-10. The blank forming conveyor 54 is located downstream of the intermittently driven advancing rolls 44 and downstream of a rotary disk-shaped knife 56 which converts the web 42 into a pair of elongated strips 420 and 42b having different widths. The rotary knife 56 cooperates with a roller-shaped counterknife 57. The blank feeding unit 9 further comprises an intermittently operated knife 58 which cooperates with a stationary counterknife 59 to sever the strips 42a and 42b so as to form a succession of discrete blank sections la and lb which are transferred onto the blank forming conveyor 54. The conveyor 54 is associated with an abutment 61 which serves to position the leading ends of successively formed sections la and lb relative to retaining means provided on the conveyor 54 and serving to transport the blank sections during their conversion into composite blanks l. The retaining means of the conveyor 54 are preferably suction ports which are shown in FIG. 7 and 8. The arrangement is preferably such that the abutment 61 positions the leaders of strips 42a and 42b prior to severing of these strips to yield a pair of sections 1a and lb. The composite blanks l which are delivered by the blank forming conveyor 54 are taken over by a transfer conveyor 62 for delivery to the turret 8. The blank forming conveyor 54 comprises two coaxial drums 63 and 64. The drum 63 receives the larger sections la and transports such larger sections during the interval of idleness of various conveyors at a speed which exceeds the speed of transport of smaller sections lb by the drum 64. This results in staggering of sections la and lb, as considered in the circumferential direction of the conveyor 54. The trailing section lb is thereupon transported by the drum 64 while the drum 63 is idle and the section lb is simultaneously moved axially of the drum 63 so as to partially overlap with the associated section la and to form therewith a composite blank 1. In a completed composite blank 1 (see FIG. 1), the sections la and lb are accurately aligned with each other and one shorter side of the section la slightly overlaps the adjacent longer side of the section 1b.

The transfer conveyor 62 is located at the transfer station 66 which receives an empty mandrel 36 during each interval of idleness of the turret 8. The conveyor 62 is hollow and receives two folding members 68, 69 and a further folding member 71. The folding members 68, 69 and 71 respectively move back and forth in directions indicated by double-headed arrows 67 and 70 during each interval of idleness of the turret 8. The purpose of the folding members 68, 69 and 71 is to deform the composite blank 1 at the transfer station 66 so that the blank 1 assumes the shape shown in FIG. la. The thus deformed blank 1 partially surrounds the adjacent empty mandrel 36. A further folding member 72 is located at the transfer station 39 for the pusher 37. The purpose of the folding member 72 is to further deform the blank 1 on the adjacent mandrel 36 so that the blank 1 assumes the shape shown in FIG. lb and almost completely surrounds the respective mandrel 36. The directions in which the folding member 72 is reciprocable during each interval of idleness of the turret 8 is indicated by a double-headed arrow 73.

Each composite blank 1 has a rectangular outline with two longer and two shorter sides. The orientation of blanks 1 on the transfer conveyor 62 is such that the longer sides of successive blanks 1 move sideways during transport toward successive mandrels 36 at the transfer station 66. This is desirable because the blanks 1 can be transported to the assembly conveyor 8 at a relatively low speed and also because such mode of transport facilitates the placing of blank sections la and 1b into overlapping positions in a manner to be described in connection with FIGS. 7 and 8.

The transfer station for successive collar blanks 2 is shown at 74 in FIG. 4b. This transfer station receives two folding members 77, 78 which are reciprocable in directions indicated by a double-headed arrow 76 during each interval of idleness of the turret 8. The purpose of the folding members 77 and 78 is to fold the long side panels 1a of successive foil blank sections 1a (see FIG. 2a).

The second blank feeding unit 11 is shown in the lower portions of FIGS. 4a and 4b. This feeding unit comprises a pair of advancing rolls 81 one of which is driven by a controlled drive shaft 80 and which serve to withdraw a continuous cardboard or stiff paper web or sheet 82 from a source of bobbin 83. The advancing rolls 81 deliver the sheet 82 into the mage of a severing device 84 which includes a rotary severing drum 86 with suitably distributed blades 87 and a rotary counterknife 88 which constitutes a drum and is adjacent to the path of movement of the sheet 82 opposite the bladed severing drum 86. The distribution of blades 87 is such that they do not completely sever the sheet 82 allthe way across between the marginal portions of the sheet so that the blanks 2 which are produced during travel of the sheet 82 between the drum 86 and 88 adhere to each other but can be readily separated in response to exertion ofa pull upon the foremost blank 2. The direction in which the sheet 82 advances is indicated by an arrow 89. The means for separating successive blanks 2 from each other comprises two pairs of separating rolls 91 and 92 with the rolls 92 located downstream of the rolls 91, as considered in the direction of the arrow 89. The peripheral speed of the leading separating rolls 92 slightly exceeds the peripheral speed of the trailing separating rolls 91 whereby the sheet 82 is automatically subdivided into discrete blanks 2 which are thereupon taken over by a drum 93 to be delivered onto a transfer conveyor 96 at the transfer station 74. The separating rolls 91. are preferably provided with scoring or grooving rings to weaken selected portions (2F, 26) of successive blanks 2 in regions indicated in FIG. 2 by broken lines. The drive shaft 80 for one of the advancing rolls 81 is kinematically coupled with the severing device 84 and with the separating rolls 91 so that the rolls 91 can be started or arrested simultaneously with the advancing rolls 81.

The drum 93 transports successive discrete blanks 2 past the orifice of an ejector nozzle 94 which is connected with a conduit 95 for admission of compressed air or another gaseous fluid. The purpose of the ejectro nozzle 94 is to expel one or more blanks 2 so that such blanks cannot reach the transfer station 74 and cannot be delivered to successive mandrels 36 of the turret 8. The conduit 95 will be connected with a source of compressed air when the turret 8 should not receive blanks 2, for example, when the mandrel 36 reaching the transfer station 74 does not carry a deformed foil blank 1 and/or does not contain a block 4 of cigarettes 4a.

The transfer conveyor 96 at the station 74 is constructed and arranged to place the median panels or fields 2a of successive blanks 2 into contact with the composite blanks l on the adjacent mandrels 36. As shown in FIG. 2a, the placing of the panel 20 onto a blank 1 is such that the panel 2a overlies the overlapping portions of blank sections 1a and lb. The transfer station 74 further accommodates two folding members 98 and 99 which are reciprocable in directions indi cated by a double-headed arrow 97. The purpose of the folding members 98 and 99 is to deform the originally flat blanks 2 so that each such blank assumes the shape of a substantially U-shaped body or collar 2' shown in FIG. 20. It will be noted that the conversion of blanks 2 into inserts or collars 2 takes place as soon as such blanks reach the mandrels 36 at the transfer station 74. The folding members 98 and 99 are actuated to move back and forth during each interval of idleness of the turret 8. As shown in FIG. 2a, the panels 2b and 2c overlap the long side panels la of the deformed blank section 1a.

The feeding unit 12 for prefabricated cardboard blanks 3 of the type shown in FIG. 3 comprises a source or magazine 101 shown in the lowerpart of FIG. 4a. This magazine 101 shown in the lower part of FIG. 4a. This magazine contains a stack of blanks 3 which are located in vertical or nearly vertical planes and the stack is pushed in a direction indicated by arrow 101a so that the foremost blank 3 is invariably located at the discharge end of the magazine 10l. As shown in FIG.

3, each prefabricated blank 3 is provided with weakened portions (indicated by broken lines) so that it can be readily folded in a predetermined manner for conversion into the outer envelope 3 (FIG. 31) of a finished hinged-lid pack 224. The means which serves to withdraw successive blanks 3 from the magazine 101 comprises a pivotable removing device 103 having a horizontal shaft 102 and being connected with a suction pipe 106. The surface 104 of the removing device 103 is provided with one or more suction ports (not shown) which communicate with the suction pipe 106 when the surface 104 is swung toward the discharge end of the magazine 101 whereby the surface 104 attracts and removes the formost blank 3. The removing device 103 is pivoted to accept a fresh blank 3 while the turret 8 is at a standstill. The suction generating device which is connected to the pipe 106 is not shown in the drawing; such suction generating device may include a suitable fan or blower. The conduit 106 contains an electromagnetic valve 353 which is shown in FIG. 6a.

The removing device 103 has a second surface 107 which faces away from the magazine 101 and abuts against the periphery of a conveyor 108 when the removing device 103 is pivoted away from the foremost blank 3 in the magazine 101, i.e., when the surface 104 attracts a blank 3. The periphery of the conveyor 108 is provided with suction ports 109 which attract the blank 3 on the surface 104 and separate such blank from the removing device 103 in response to a counterclockwise rotation of the conveyor 108, as viewed in FIG. 4a.

A tank 111 contains a supply of adhesive paste and rotatably supports a withdrawing roller 112 which dips into the supply of paste in the tank 111 and transfers a film of adhesive onto a second roller or transfer roller 113. The roller 113 serves to coat with adhesive paste the protuberances 114 on a roller-shaped applicator 116 which, in turn, transfers adhesive paste from the protuberances 114 onto selected fields of a cardboard blank 3 which is being attracted to the periphery of the conveyor 108 by the suction ports 109. Referring to FIG. 3, the protuberances 114 on the roller-shaped applicator 116 of FIG. 4a are distributed in such a way that they coat with adhesive the fields c,q,r,m,l,n of successive cardboard blanks 3. The adhesive-coated portions of the fields c,l,m,n,q and r are indicated at P. In order to prevent contamination of the conveyor 108 by adhesive paste on the outer surfaces of protuberances 114 when the conveyor 108 does not carry blanks 3, the periphery of the conveyor 108 is provided with recesses or depressions 115 which register with the protuberances 114 and receive such protuberances without allowing the protuberances to touch the conveyor 108 when the latter does not carry any blanks 3.

The conveyor 108 is driven to rotate about a stationary shaft 117 which supports a folding member 118. The folding member is supported by the shaft 117 through the intermediary of a linkage including a pivot 119. The directions in which the folding member 118 moves back and forth while the conveyor 108 is at a standstill are indicated by a double-headed arrow 121. The purpose of the folding member 118 is to fold the fields a and b of successive cardboard blanks 3 over the respective fields c and d in a manner as shown in FIG. 3a.

The conveyor 108 delivers successive adhesivecoated blanks 3 to a transfer conveyor 122 which is provided with suction ports (not shown) serving to attract the blanks 3 during transport toward the mandrels 36 on the turret 8. The peripheral surface of the transfer conveyor 122 is also provided with recesses or depressions (not shown) similar to the recesses 115 on the conveyor 108 and serving the same purpose, namely, to prevent contamination of the transfer conveyor 122 by adhesive which has been applied to successive blanks 3 by the protuberances 114 of the applicator 116. The axial length of the transfer conveyor 122 is less than the axial length of the conveyor 108. Referring to FIG. 3, the axial length of the conveyor 122 isjust sufficient to support the fields h, i, k, l, m and n of successive blanks 3. The non-supported fields a-g and -r of successive blanks 3 are preferably guided by suitable guide means (not shown) while the fields h-n of successive blanks 3 are supported and transported by the transfer conveyor 122.

The axial position of the transfer conveyor 122 relative to the turret 8 of FIGS. 4a and 4b is selected in such a way that the. fields h-n of a blank 3 carried by the conveyor 122 and reaching the transfer station 126 are located behind the adjacent mandrel 36. At the same time, the fields a-e of the respective blank 3 are transferred onto the adjacent unobstructed major panel la" of the blank section 10 on the respective mandrel 36. This is best shown in FIG. 3b which illustrates that a properly applied and partially deformed cardboard blank 3 engages the deformed blank 1 on the respective mandrel 36 in such a way that the area of contact between the blanks and 3 is located opposite the central panel 2a of the corresponding collar 2'. As shown in FIG. 3b, the deformed blank 1 is partially surrounded by the collar 2' and by the corresponding cardboard blank 3.

The transfer stations 66, 74 and 126 occupy three different portions of the endless path for the mandrels 36 of the turret 8. It will be noted that the transfer station 74 is located downstream of the transfer station 66 and upstream of the transfer station 126, as considered in the (clockwise) direction of travel of mandrels 36 about the axis of the turret 8.

The transfer station 126 is follwoed by a folding station 127 (as considered in the direction of intermittent rotation of the turret 8), and the folding station 127 accommodates five folding members including those numbered 128, 129, 131 and 132 as well as a further folding member which cannot be seen in FIG. 4a. The folding members at the station 127 perform reciprocatory movements while the turret 8 is at a standstill. The directions in which the folding members 128, 129, 131 and 132 are reciprocable are respectively indicated by double-headed arrows 133, 134, 136 and 137. The folding members 128 and 129 are moved in a first step and are followed by the folding member 131 and the non-illustrated folding member. The fifth folding member 132 is movable back and forth upon completion of reciprocatory movement of the folding member 131 and the non-illustrated folding member. The purpose of the folding members 128 and 129 is to fold the fields f and h (folding member 128) and g and i (folding member 129) of successive blanks 3. The folding member 131 cooperates with the non-illustrated folding member to fold the fields h and i of successive blanks relative to the fieldsfand g. The folding member 132 serves to fold the fields k-n of successive blanks 3 (see FIG. 30).

The folding station 127 is followed by a further folding station 138 which accommodates a folding member 139 reciprocable in directions indicated by a doubleheaded arrow 141 and being driven to perform such movements while the turret 8 is at a standstill. The purpose of the folding member 138 is to fold the fields l,m, and n of successive blanks 3 in a manner as shown in FIG. 3d. It will be noted that, when the folding member 139 has completed a reciprocatory movement, the field l of the respective blank 3 abuts against the section 1a of the respective blank 1 and the outer side of the central field 2a of the corresponding collar 2'.

The folding station 138 is followed by a transfer station 146 which accommodates two discrete folding members 147 and 148. These folding members are actuated simultaneously during each interval of idleness of the turret 8 to move in directions indicated by the double-headed arrow 149 and serve to fold the fields m and n over the fields f and g of successive blanks 3 in a manner as illustrated in FIG. 3e. The transfer station 146 further accommodates a transfer device or pusher 151 which is reciprocable in directions indicated by a double-headed arrow 152 and serves to transfer successive blocks 4 from the respective mandrels 36 into the adjacent receptacles of the lid forming conveyor or turret 13. It will be noted that the folding members which treat blanks on the mandrels 36 of the turret 8 are movable but do not share the angular movements of the turret 8.

The blanks which travel with the turret 8 must be held against movement relative to the respective mandrels 36 while the turret 8 is driven in stepwise fashion. Thus, the blanks 1 must be held against movement relative to the mandrels 36 during travel between the transfer stations 66 and 74. The blanks 1 and the blanks 2 must be held against movement relative to the respective mandrels 36 during travel between the transfer stations 74 and 126, and the blanks l, 2 and 3 must be held against movement relative to the respective mandrels 36 during travel between the transfer stations 126 and 146. The structure for compelling the flanks 1 to travel with the respective mandrels 36 between the transfer stations 66 and 126 and then to the folding station 127 includes holding means 156 which are associated with each of the mandrels 36 and one of which is shown in detail in FIG. 4c. The holding means 156 of FIG. 4c comprises two holding members or flaps 157, 158 which are mounted on bell crank levers 159 and 161. The levers 159 and 161 are pivotably mounted on the turret 8 so as to turn on or with the shafts 162 and 163. A helical spring 164 couples the flaps 157 and 158 in such a way that the flaps tend to abut against the mandrels 36 whereby they press the blanks against the adjacent external surfaces of such mandrel. The bell crank levers 159 and 161 respectively carry roller followers 166 and 167 which cooperate with disk-shaped cams 171. The cam 17] shown in FIG. 4c is driven by ashaft 169 which receives torque from a toothed belt 168. The belt 168 receives motion from the main prime mover of the packing machine. A cam 171 is provided at the transfer station 66, at the transfer station 74, at the folding station 127, and at the transfer station 146.

When the mandrel 36 reaches a station which accommodates a cam 171 and the turret 8 is brought to a standstill, the rotating cam 171 causes the roller followers 166 and 167 to move apart and to thereby pivot the bell crank levers 159 and 161 in directions to move the flaps 157 and 158 away from the respective mandrel so that the blanks on such mandrel can be folded by the respective folding member or members. The continuously rotating cam 171 thereupon allows the roller followers 166 and 167 to follow the bias of the respective spring 164 which causes the flaps 157 and 158 to move toward the adjacent surfaces of the mandrel 36 whereby the blanks are again held against movement relative to the mandrel while the turret 8 advances by one or more steps.

Each mandrel 36 is furtherassociated with holding means 176 serving to engage cardboard blanks 3 during travel from the transfer station 126 to the transfer station 146. One'of the holding means 176 is shown in FIG. 4d. The illustrated holding means comprises a plate-like holder 177 which is pivotally connected to a lever 179. The lever 179 is pivotable about the axis of the shaft 178 which is mounted on the turret 8. The free end portion of the lever 179 carries a roller follower 181 which cooperates with rotary cams 182 (one shown in FIG. 4d). Such cams 182 are provided at the transfer station 39, at the transfer station 126 and at the transfer station 146. Eacg of the cams 182 is mounted on a camshaft 183 which is driven by the main prime mover of the packing machine by way of a toothed belt 184. A helical spring 186 is provided to urge the holder 177 against the mandrel 36 provided that the roller follower 181, which continuously tracks the adjacent cam 182, allows such pivotal movement of the holder 177.

When a mandrel 36 reaches the range of cam 182, selected portions of such cam (which is continuously driven) impart movement to the respective lever 179 mandrel 36. This'enables the folding member to perfonn'their deforming or draping operations. During the next stage of rotation of the cam 182, the roller'follower 181 allows the lever 179 to pivot under the action of the spring 186 so that the holder 177 returns into engagement with the adjacent portion of the blank 3 on the respective mandrel 36. The holder 177 then remains in such blank-engaging position during movement of the turret 8 in a direction to advance the respective mandrel 36 into the range of the next cam 182.

The transfer station 146 between the turret 8 and the lid forming turret 13 is followed by a folding station 191 which accommodates a pair of discrete folding members 192 and 193. These folding members are reciprocable indirections indicated by double-headed arrows 194 while the turret 13 is at a standstill. The purpose of the folding members 192 and 193 is to fold portions of composite foil blanks 1 in a manner as illustrated in FIG. 3f. Those portions of the blank sections la and 1b which are folded by the members 192 and 193 at the folding station 191 are denoted in FIG. 3f by the reference characters lab.

The folding station 191 is followed by a further fold ing station 196 for a folding member 197 which is reciprocable in directions indicated by a double-headed arrow 198 while the turret 13 is at a standstill. The purpose of the folding member 197 is to fold the portion 1g of the blank section 1b in a manner as shown in FIG.

The folding station 196 is followed by a folding station 199 for a folding member 201 which comprises two projections 202 and 203. While the turret 13 is at a standstill, the folding member 201 is caused to reciprocate in directions indicated by a double-headed arrow 204 thereby fold the fields 0 and p of successive cardboard blanks 3 in a manner as illustrated in FIG. 3h.

Still another folding station 206 is located downstream of the folding station 199 and accommodates a folding member 207 which is reciprocable in directions indicated by a double-headed arrow 208 while the turret 13 is at a standstill. The purpose of the folding member 207 is to fold the fields a,b,c,d,q and r of successive cardboard blanks 3 in a manner as illustrated in FIG. 3i.

path of movement of receptacles on the turret 13 and accommodates a folding member 211 which reciprocates in directions indicated by arrow 212 while the turret 13 is at a standstill. The purpose of the folding member 211 is to fold the fields a, c,q and r of successive cardboard blanks 3 in a manner as illustrated in FIG. 3k. It will be noted that the overlapping fields a and c of the cardboard blank 3 shown in FIG. 3k overlie the field 2a of the collar 2".

The folding station 209 is followed by a further folding station 213 for a folding member 214 including projections 216, 217 and being reciprocable in directions indicated by a double-headed arrow 218 while the turret 13 is at a standstill. The folding member 214 thereby folds the fields q and r over the fields 0 and p in a manner as illustrated in FIG. 3!. This completes the fomiation of a finished hinged-lid pack 224.

The folding station 213 is followed by a transfer station 221 for a transfer device or pusher 222 which is caused to perform a reciprocatory movement (see the An additional folding station 209 is adjacent to the double-headed arrow 223) during each interval of idleness of the turret 13 and conditioning conveyor 14. The purpose of the pusher 222 is to transfer finished packs 224 from successive receptacles 190 of the turret 13 to successive containers 226 of the conditioning conveyor 14. The conditioning conveyor 14 resembles a wheel which carries a plurality of equidistant containers 226 each of which has two open ends, as considered in the axial direction of the conveyor 14, and each of which is located in a substantially radial plane of the conditioning conveyor. Prior to reaching the transfer station 221, successive empty containers 226 of the conditioning conveyor 14 advance toward, through and beyond a heating zone 227 for a blower 228 the details of which are illustrated in FlG. 5. The blower 228 includes an electric motor 229 which drives a fan 231 whereby the fan 231 circulates a stream of air in a channel 232 containing an electric resistance heater 233. The direction in which the air stream flows in the channel 232 is indicated by the arrows shown in FIG. 5. The channel 232 is interrupted at its apex to provide room for entry of successive empty containers 226 whereby the stream of air flows through the container 226 which happens to be in register with the adjacent portions of the channel 232. In this manner, the stream of air which is heated during flow past the electric resistance heater 233 preheats successive containers 226 before such containers reach the transfer station 221 to receive finished packs 224. lt can be said that the container 226 which assumes the position shown in the central portion of FIG. forms part of the channel 232 whereby the walls of such container are heated sufficiently to insure satisfactory conditioning of adhesive on the cardboard blank 3 of the pack 224 which is to be transferred into the container at the station 221.

The transfer station 221 for the pusher 222 is followed by an expelling device including a plunger 234 having a shaft 226 the drive means for which is responsive to-electric signals whereby the plunger 234 moves in directions indicated by a double-headed arrow 237 and expels the adjacent pack 224 from the container 226 which happens to register with the plunger 234. If the plunger 234 is caused to perform a working and a return stroke, such movements of the plunger 234 invariably take place while the conditioning conveyor 14 is at a standstill so that the plunger registers with one of the filled containers 226.

The expelling device including the plunger 234 is followed by a transfer station 239 for a transfer device or pusher 241 which serves to transfer packs 224 from successive containers 226 into successive sockets 244 of a conveyor belt 243. The pusher 241 is reciprocable in directions indicated by the double-headed arrow 242 while conditioning conveyor 14 is a standstill whereby the expelled pack 224 enters the registering socket 244 of the conveyor belt 243. The conveyor belt 243 serves to transport a row of packs 224 into the range of the labelling unit 16 which includes a magazine 246 for a stack of revenue labels 247. The lowermost label 247 in the magazine 246 is removable by a conveyor 248 which is provided with a ram 249 having suction ports (not specifically shown) so as to attract a label 247 during transport along a paster 25] whereby the paster coats the exposed side of the label 247 with a film of adhesive before the thus coated label is attached to the adjacent pack 224 on the conveyor belt 243. The label removing conveyor 248 is followed by a folding or draping station 252 for a folding or draping member 253 which is reciprocable in directions indicated by a double-headed arrow 254 while the conveyor belt 243 is at a standstill. The ram 249 of the conveyor 248 applies revenue labels 257 to successive packs 224 in the adjacent sockets 244 of the conveyor belt 243 in such a way that a portion of the label extends beyond the respective pack. Such portions of the labels are thereupon folded or draped by the member 253.

The folding station 252 is followed by a station for an expelling device or plunger 256 which is mounted on a shaft 257 and is reciprocable by this shaft in directions indicated by a double-headed arrow 258 while the conveyor belt 243 is at a standstill. The drive means for the shaft 257 is responsive to signals to that the plunger 2 can eject from the respective sockets 244 those packs which do not carry revenue labels 247.

The labelling unit 16 is preceded by a magazine in the form of an upright tower 261 which can receive a stack of packs 224. The tower 261 can receive packs 224 which are expelled from sockets 244 by the plunger 256. The means for transferring packs from the belt 243 into the tower 261 is not shown in the drawing; such transfer can also be effected by hand. As a rule, the packs which are expelled by the plunger 256 are quite satisfactory except that they are not provided with revenue labels 247. The lower end portion of the tower 261 is adjacent to a reciprocable removing device or pusher 262 which can be moved back and forth in directions indicated by a double-headed arrow 264. The shaft 263 of the pusher 262 receives motion from a drive means (not shown) which serves to introduce packs 224 into empty sockets 244 of the conveyor belt 243. In this manner, the pusher 262 supplies to the conveyor belt 243 packs which are missing due to absence of packs in certain containers 226 of the conditioning conveyor 14.

Referring again to FIG. 4b, a detector 281 (preferably a twin or dual detector) is positioned adjacent to the path of movement of cells 29 on the chain conveyor 28. This detector is mounted between the station 24 and the station which receives the plunger 33. The purpose of the detector 281 is to monitor the blocks 4 in successive cells 29 and to produce signals in response to detection of any defects, such as unsatisfactory ends of tobacco-containing portions of the cigarettes 4a, the absence of one or more cigarettes 4a, and/or the absence of one or more filter tips.

A second detector 282 is adjacent ot the blank forming conveyor 54 of the first blank feeding unit 9 (see FIG. 4b). The detector 282 produces signals in response to detection of the absence of composite blanks 1. For example, the detector 282 can constitute a socalled proximity initiator which produces a signal in response to detection of the absence of metal (namely, the metallic portions of blanks l) in the path defined by the periphery of the blank forming conveyor 54.

A third detector 283 is installed in the blank feeding unit 11 (see FIG. 4a) between the severing device 84 and the separating rolls 91. The detector 283 is preferably a photoelectric detector which produces a signal in response to detection of the absence of blanks 2.

A detector 284 (preferably a photoelectric detector) is adjacent to the periphery of the conveyor 108 in the blank feeding unit 12 of FIG. 4a. The purpose of the detector 284 is to produce signals in response to detection of the absence of cardboard blanks 3 on the conveyor 108.

The folding station 127 which is adjacent to the path of movement of mandrels 36 on the turret 8 receives a fifth detector 286 which is preferably a four-way detector and is designed to determine the presence or absence of any or all components of a pack 224 on and in the adjacent mandrel 36. The detector 286 produces a signal when the adjacent mandrel 36 does not carry a section la or lb, a collar 2 and/or a cardboard blank and/or does not contain a block 4.

The transfer station 2 between the conditioning conveyor 14 and 243 receives a further detector 287 which produces signals in response to detection of the absence of packs 224 in the adjacent containers 226. The detector 287 is preferably a photoelectronic detector, and a similar detector 288 is provided immediately downstream of the transfer station 239 to produce signs 1 in response to detection of the absence of packs 224 in the adjacent sockets 244 of the conveyor belt 243.

A further photosensitive detector 289 is located downstream of the labelling unit 16 to produce signals in response to detection of packs 224 which do not carry revenue labels 247. 1

FIGS. 6a and 6b illustrate a control circuit which includes the detectors 281289 and converts signals furnished by these detectors into control signals for actuation of various parts of the packing machine shown FIGS. 4a to 4d. The control circuit includes nine units or branches 301-304, 306-309 and 311.

The control circuit branch 301 includes the twin detector 281 and serves to regulate the movements of the ejector plunger 33 shown in FIG. 4b so that the plunger.

The control circuit branch 303 produces signals which interrupt the movements of the pusher 26 at the transfer station 24 of FIG. 4b; This branch includes the detectors 282, 283 and 284 and serves to interrupt the movements of the pusher 26 in response to detection of the absence of a composite blank 1 (detector 282), a blank .2 (detector 283) and/or a blank 3 (detector 284). j

The branch 304 of the control circuit regulates the movements of advancing rolls 44 in the blank feeding unit 9, the movements of advancing rolls 81 in the blank feeding unit 11, and the connection between a suction generating device and the suction ports in the surface 104 of the removing device 103 in the blank feeding unit 12.

The branch 306 controls the admission of compressed gaseous fluid to the ejector nozzle 94 in the blank feeding unit 11. v

The branch 307 controls the movements of the expelling plunger 234 which is adjacent to the path of movement of containers 226 on the conditioning conveyor 14. This includes the four-way detector 286.

The branch 308 includes the detector 287 and controls the movements of the pusher 262 which transfers The main prime mover further drives two rotary cams (not specifically shown) one of which actuates a signal generating device 312 and the other of which actuates a signal generating device 314, both shown in the upper portion of FIG. 6a. These signal generating de vices are shown in the form of normally open electric switches and are respectively connected with pulse shapers 313 and 316. The switch 312 produces signals during the intervals of movement of conveyors in the packing machine of FIGS. 4a and 4d, and the switch 314 produces signals during the intervals of idleness of the conveyors. The switches 312, 314 and the pulse shapers 313, 316 form part of the control circuit.

Referring in greater detail to the branches 301-304, 306-309 and 311 of the control circuit shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b, and first to the branch 301, this branch comprises the aforementioned detector 281 for defective blocks 4, two AND-gates 317, 318, a NO-gate 319, a counter 321, a signal storing device 322 of the type known as flip-flop, an amplifier 323 and an electromagnetic clutch 324. The detector 281 is connected with one input of the AND-gate 317, and the other input of this AND-gate is connected with the pulse shaper 316. The output of the AND-gate 317 is connected with the setting input a of the flip-flop 322 and with the counting input a of the counter 321. The output c of the flipflop 322 is connected with the winding of the electromagnetic clutch 324 by way of the amplifier 323. When the winding is energized, it establishes a torquetransmitting connection between the driving and driven elements of the clutch 324 so that the plunger 33 then performs working and return strokes.

The detector 381 is further connected with one input of the AND-gate 318 by way of the NO-gate 319, and the other input of the AND-gate 318 is connected with the pulse shaper 316. The output of the AND-gate 318 is connected with the erasing input b of the flip-flop 322 and with an erasing input b of the counter 321.

The branch 302 of the control circuit comprises two flip-flops 326, 327, and AND-gate 328, a counter 329, an amplifier 331 and the electromagnetic clutch 332. The setting input a of the flip-flop 326 is connected with the output 0 of the counter 321 in the control circuit branch 301, and the output tof the flip-flop 326 is connected with one input of the AND-gate 328. The other input of the AND-gate 328 is connected with the pulse shaper 316. The output of the AND-gate 328 is connected with one input of the counter 329, and the output of this counter is connected with the setting input a of the flip-flop 327. The output c of the flip-flop 327 is connected with the winding of the electromagnetic clutch 332 by way of the amplifier 331. When the AND-gates 337, 338, 339, and OR-gate 341, a flip-flop 342, an amplifier 343, and an electromagnetic clutch 344. The central inputs of the AND-gates 337, 338, 339 are respectively connected with the detectors 282, 283, 284 by way of the NO-gates 333, 334, 336. The outputs of the AND-gates 337, 338, 339 are connected with different inputs of the OR-gate 341. The left-hand inputs of the AND-gates 337-339 are connected with the pulse shaper 313. A further input of the OR-gate 341 is connected with the output 0 of the counter 321 in the control circuit branch 301. The output of the OR-gate 341 is connected with the setting input a of the flip-flop 342, and the output 0 of the flip-flop 342 is connected with the winding of the electromagnetic clutch 344 by way of the amplifier 343. When the winding is energized, it terminates the transmission of torque from the driving to the driven element of the clutch 344. The right-hand inputs of the AND-gates 337-339 are connected with the output of the NO-gate 319 in the branch 301.

The branch 304 comprises a flip-flop 346, three amplifiers 347, 348, 349, two electromagnetic clutches 351, 352 and an electromagnetic valve 353. The setting input a of the flip-flop 346 is connected with the output of the OR-gate 341 in the branch 303, and the output 0 of this flip-flop is respectively connected with the windings of the clutches 351, 352 and the solenoid of the valve 353 by way of the amplifiers 347, 348 and 349. Further the amplifiers 347-349 are connected with the output c of the flip-flop 322 in the branch 301. The energization of windings of the clutches 351, 352 results in termination of transmission of torque from the respective driving to the associated driven clutch elements. The energization of solenoid results in closing of the valve 353 to terminate the flow of air from the ports of the surface 104 shown in FIG. 4a to the respective suction generating device by way of the pipe 106.

The branch 306 comprises two flip-flops 354,356, an AND-gate 357, a counter 358, an amplifier 359 and an electromagnetic valve 361. The setting input a of the flip-flop 354 is connected with the output of the AND- gate 339 in the control circuit branch 303, and the output c of this flip-flop is connected with one input of the AND-gate 357. The other input of the AND-gate 357 is connected with the pulse shaper 313. The output of the AND-gate 357 is connected with the input of the counter 358 and the output of this counter is connected with the setting input a of the flip-flop 356. The output 0 of the flip-flop 356 is connected with the solenoid of the electromagnetic valve 361 by way of the amplifier 359. The energization of solenoid results in opening of the valve 361 so that the conduit 96 conveys a stream of pressurized fluid to the ejector nozzle 94 which expels one or more blanks 2 from the periphery of the drum 93 so that such blanks cannot reach the turret 8.

The branch 307 includes the four-way detector 286, an AND-gate 362, a shift register 363, an amplifier 364 and an electromagnetic clutch 366. The detector 286 is connected with one input of the AND-gate 362 the other input of which is connected with the signalreceiving input a of the shift register 363. The inputs b of the shift register 363 are connected with the pulse shaper 313 to advance the signal which is furnished to the input a by the AND-gate 362. The output 0 of shift register 363 is connected with the winding of the electromagnetic clutch 366 by way of the amplifier 364.

When the winding is energized, it establishes a torquetransmitting connecting between the driving and driven elements of the clutch 366 so that the plunger 234 performs working and return strokes.

The branch 308 includes the detector 287, a NO-gate 267, an AND-gate 368, a flip-flop 369, an amplifier 371 and an electromagnetic clutch 372. The detector 287 is connected with one input of the AND-gate 368 by way of the NO-gate 367, and the other input of the AND-gate 368 is connected with the setting input a of the flip-flop 369, and the output 0 of this flip-flop is connected with the winding of the electromagnetic clutch 372 by way of the amplifier 371. When the winding is energized, it establishes a torquetransmitting connection between the driving and driven elements of the clutch 372 so that the pusher 262 performs working and return strokes.

The branch 309 includes the detector 288, a NO-gate 373, an AND-gate 374, a flip-flop 376, an amplifier 377 and an electromagnetic clutch 378. The detector 288 is connected with one input of the AND-gate 374 by way of the NO-gate 373, and the other input of the AND-gate 374 is connected with the pulse shaper 316. The output of the AND-gate 374 is connected with the setting input a of the flip-flop 376; the output c of this flip-flop is connected with the winding of the electromagnetic clutch 378 by way of the amplifier 377. When the winding is energized, it terminates the transmission of torque from the driving to the driven element of the clutch 378 so that the conveyor 248 ceases to remove labels 247 from the magazine 246.

The branch 311 includes the detector 389, a NO-gate 379, an AND-gate 381, a flip-flop 382, an amplifier 383 and an electromagnetic clutch 384. The detector 289 is connected with one input of the AND-gate 381 by way of the NO-gate 379, and the other input of the AND-gate 381 is connected with the pulse shaper 316. The output of the AND-gate 381 is connected with the setting input a of the flip-flop 382; the output c of this flip-flop is connected with the winding of the electromagnetic clutch 384 by way of the amplifier 383. When the winding is energized, it establishes a torquetransmitting connection between the driving and driven elements of the clutch 384 so that the plunger 256 performs working and return strokes.

The erasing inputs b of the flip-flops 326, 327, 342, 346, 354, 356, 369, 376 and 382 receive signals in response to starting of the packing machine to thus erase the signals at the outputs c of the respective flip-flops.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the details of the blank forming conveyor 54 in the feeding unit 9 of FIG. 4b. The conveyor 54 comprises the aforementioned coaxial drums 63 and 64 the first of which includes a cylindrical body 426 fixedly secured to a hollow drive shaft 427. The latter is rotatably mounted in a stationary bearing member 428 forming part of or secured to the frame of the packing machine. The peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 426 is provided with first retaining means in the form of suction ports 429 which attract the blank sections la during travel of such sections with the drum 63. The inner ends of the ports 429 communicate with axially parallel channels 431 which, in turn, communicate with the arcuate groove 433 of a stationary valve plate 434 in selected angular positions of the drum 63. The valve plate 434 is secured to 

1. In a machine for the making of packs for groups of cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles wherein each pack consists of a plurality of components including at least one inner envelope of relatively thin foldable material, an outer envelope consisting of relatively stiff material and provided with a pivotable lid, and an insert secured to and received in the outer envelope and having at least two edge portions for yieldably retaining the lid in closed position and for guiding the lid during pivoting between open and closed positions, a combination comprising an assembly conveyor including a plurality of hollow mandrels movable along a predetermined path; first, second and third feeding means for respectively supplying to successive mandrels first second and third blanks for conversion into inner envelopes, inserts and outer envelopes of packs, each of said feeding means including a source of the respective blanks and means for transporting blanks between the source and said assembly conveyor; and folding means adjacent to said path and actuatable to at least partially convert the blanks supplied by said feeding means into the respective components of packs so that the thus obtained packs partially surround the respective mandrels.
 2. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said mandrels has two open sides and said folding means are actuatable to drape the blanks around the respective mandrels so that each mandrel is surrounded at all but one of said open sides thereof.
 3. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein selected portions of blanks supplied by said third feeding means are weakened to facilitate the conversion of such blanks into said outer envelopes.
 4. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for transporting said first, second and third blanks are arranged to deliver the respective blanks to said mandrels in discrete first, second and third portions of said path.
 5. A combination as defined in claim 4, wherein said second portion of said path is respectively located upstream of said third portion and downstream of said first portion, as considered in the direction of movement of said mandrels along said path.
 6. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said first blanks is of substantially rectangular outline and includes two longer sides and two shorter sides, said means for transporting said first blanks including transfer conveyor means for moving the first blanks in such orientation that said longer sides of the first blanks move sideways.
 7. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein each of said first blanks consists of a pair of partially overlapping sections.
 8. A combination as defined in claim 7, wherein each of said pairs of sections includes a larger rectangular section and a smaller rectangular section.
 9. A combination as defined in claim 7, wherein said first feeding means further comprises additional conveyor means for transporting said pairs of sections side-by-side and blank forming conveyor means for partially overlapping the sections of successive pairs prior to delivery of partially overlapping sections to said transfer conveyor means.
 10. A combination as defined in claim 9, wherein said blank forming conveyor means comprises discrete retaining means for the sections of successive pairs and means for shifting one of said retaining means relative to the other retaining means to thereby effect partial overlapping of the sections.
 11. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said second blanks consist of relatively stiff material, such as cardboard, and include weakened portions to facilitate the conversion of said second blanks into said inserts.
 12. A combination as defined in claim 11, wherein said weakened portions of said second blanks coincide with said edge portions of the respective inserts.
 13. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said second and third blanks comprises weakened portions to facilitate the conversion of such blanks into said inserts and said third envelopes.
 14. A combination as defined in claim 13, wherein at least one of said second and third feeding means comprises means for weakening said portions of the respective blanks.
 15. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said assembly conveyor is a rotary conveyor and said predetermined path is an endless path.
 16. A combination as defined in claim 15, wherein said assembly conveyor is a turret.
 17. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising a second conveyor having receptacles for portions of packs, said receptacles being movable along a second predetermined path, means for transferring partially finished packs from successive mandrels of said assembly conveyor into successive receptacles of said second conveyor, and additional folding means adjacent to said second path and actuatable to complete the conversion of said blanks into finished packs.
 18. A combination as defined in claim 17, wherein said additional folding means are arranged to complete and close the lids of packs in successive receptacles of said second conveyor.
 19. A combination as defined in claim 17, wherein said second conveyor is a turret.
 20. A combination as defined in claim 17, wherein at least one of said feeding means includes means for coating the respective blanks with films of adhesive and further comprising a conditioning conveyor having containers for finished packs, said containers being movable along a third predetermined path, means for transferring finished packs from successive receptacles of said second conveyor into successive containers of said conditioning conveyor, and means for promoting the setting of adhesive of said packs in said containers.
 21. A combination as defined in claim 20, wherein said means for promoting the setting of adhesive comprises means for heating said containers.
 22. A combination as defined in claim 21, wherein said heating means includes a channel for circulation of a heating fluid and a portion of said third path registers with said channel so that successive containers of said conditioning conveyor are heated by said fluid while located in said portion of said third path.
 23. A combination as defined in claim 22, wherein said channel defines a substantially closed path for circulation of said heating fluid by way of containers occupying said portion of said third path.
 24. A combination as defined in claim 23, wherein said portion of said third path is located upstream of saiD means for transferring finished packs into said containers and further comprising means for removing conditioned packs from said containers upstream of said portion of said third path so that said fluid heats empty containers.
 25. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said third feeding means comprises paster means for coating selected portions of successive third blanks with films of adhesive.
 26. A combination as defined in claim 25, wherein each of said third blanks includes a plurality of fields including first fields and second fields which overlap and adhere to said first fields in an outer envelope, said selected portions of said third blanks including said second fields.
 27. A combination as defined in claim 1; further comprising means for transporting groups of rod-shaped articles to said assembly conveyor, means for transferring groups of articles from said group transporting means into successive mandrels of said assembly conveyor, and control means including detector means arranged to produce signals in response to detected absence of groups on said group transporting means for interrupting the transport of blanks to said assembly conveyor in response to said signals.
 28. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for transporting groups of rod-shaped articles to said assembly conveyor, means for transferring groups of articles from said group transporting means into successive mandrels of said assembly conveyor, and control means including detector means arranged to produce signals in response to detection of defective groups on said group transporting means and means for interrupting the transport of blanks to said assembly conveyor in response to said signals.
 29. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising control means including detector means arranged to produce signals in response to detected absence of blanks between at least one of said sources and said assembly conveyor and means for interrupting the transport of blanks from the other two sources in response to said signals.
 30. A combination as defined in claim 29, further comprising means for transporting groups of rod-shaped articles to said assembly conveyor and means for transferring groups of articles from said group transporting means into successive mandrels of said assembly conveyor, said control means further comprising means for interrupting the transport of groups to said assembly conveyor in response to said signals.
 31. A combination as defined in claim 30, further comprising prime mover means for moving said assembly conveyor and said blank and group transporting means in stepwise fashion, said detector means being located at such a distance from said path that the detection of the absence of blanks between said one source and said assembly conveyor entails the interruption of transport of blanks from the other two sources and a group of articles from said group transporting means to that mandrel which fails to receive the blank whose absence has been detected by said detector means.
 32. A combination as defined in claim 31, wherein said control means further comprises second detector means arranged to produce second signals in response to detected absence of groups of articles on said group transporting means and means for interrupting the transport of blanks to said assembly conveyor in response to said second signals, the distance between said second detector means and said assembly conveyor being such that the generation of a second signal entails the interruption of transport of blanks to that mandrel which fails to receive a group whose absence has been detected by said second detector means. 